CULTURE OF ROSES. 



Mest (5rove, IPa. 



11 



How to Grow Roses — Continued. 



of telling when that time arrives, we would advise that 

 planting in open ground be deferred until all danger of 

 frost is past. Having prepared the ground, set the plants 

 about twelve inches apart. Do not hesitate to place the 

 roots well below the surface of the soil, arranging them, as 

 far as possible, in their natural position. Cover over, 

 pressing firmly down upon them and in around the stem. 

 After planting, water freely, and if the sun be strong, pro- 

 tect them for a few days with a covering of newspapers or 

 other suitable covering. Water judiciously, that is, not too 

 freely, and daily until they show signs of having become 

 established. Do not plant if the ground is wet, as the soil 

 will become baked and thus endanger the safety of the 

 plants. During the presence of protracted drought the 

 plants should be watered daily in the evenings. 



Pruning 



The different varieties of Roses differ very much in habit 

 of growth; many are neat and compact, requiring little or no 

 attention, while others of the same class are vigorous and 

 straggling, sending out long shoots which tend to outrun the 

 limits assigned them. Pruning, therefore, is a matter to be 

 governed by the judgment of the possessor of the plants. We 

 will add, however, that plants of persistent growth should 

 be trimmed back each Fall or in early Spring about one-half 

 to two-thirds of the season's growth. Where plants, ap- 

 parently healthy, fail to mature the buds which they bear, 

 remove a large percentage of the undeveloped buds and 

 imperfect blooms and prune severely. Also trim back about 

 one-third when, after planting, they shed their leaves and 

 exhibit signs of weakness ; this gives the roots a chance to 

 become vigorous. 



Roses in Pots or Boxes 



The conditions most favorable for growing Roses in pots 

 or boxes are good, rich soil, plenty of sunshine and heat 

 ranging from 50° at night to 75° during the day. If Roses 

 are purchased in the Spring and Summer for Winter bloom, 

 they can be planted in large-size pots— one-year plants in 

 pots whose inside diameter at the top is four inches, two- 

 year-old in six-inch pots. Plunge the pots in open ground, 

 in some partly shaded place; cultivate and keep healthy 

 during the Summer; water sparingly and pinch oft all buds 

 as they appear. Upon the approach of cold weather take ap 

 the pots and remove as much of the surface soil as caniDe 

 done without disturbing the roots, replacing with fresh soil. 

 Bring into a warm room and water freely. After the period 

 of bloom is over, cut back and remove to a cool cellar ; the 

 following Spring they will grow with renewed energy, either 

 in open ground or in larger pots. 



I Growing Roses for Cut Flowers 



In answer to those who contemplate taking up this 

 branch of Rose growing, or, in fact, the growing of any kind 

 of cut flowers, we would recommend Practical Floriculture, 

 a thoroughly practical book, giving all the information re- 

 quired f>ertaining to the culture of flowers in general. We 

 can furnish this book (300 pages) for $1.50, postpaid. 



^ [ 



Insects and Insecticides 



Healthy, vigorous Roses are less liable to the ravages of 

 insects than weak specimens, which do not have the vitality 



to resist the onslaughts of the pernicious parasites. Our 

 Roses are singularly free from insects, owing to their 

 vigor, but should they become infested, a few applications 

 of a good insecticide wiil exterminate them at the outset, 

 after which very little or no trouble will be experienced. 

 The following recipes and preparations are good. They 

 should be applied both to the upper and under surface of the 

 foliagre by means of a whisk broom or sprinkler. We can 

 supply the " Tyrian Plant Sprinkler," " The Auto-Spray '' and 

 "New Era Sprayer," at prices given in Supplement to this 

 book. All of which are very satisfactory. 



Kerosene Emulsion. — To two parts of kerosene add one 

 of slightly sour milk ; agitate until the compound unites in the 

 form of a white jelly , dilute with twenty parts of soft water. 



Tobacco Solution.— Made by boiling the leaves or stems 

 of tobacco. The liquid should be made about the strength 

 of weak tea. 



Tobacco Insecticide Soap.— The preparation is put up 

 in cakes, with directions for use printed on labels. It is a 

 standard remedy, and one of the best. Two sizes. Price, 15 

 cts. and SOcts. each; postpaid. See Supplement to this book. 



Winter Protection 



This is not deemed of so much importance as formerly, 

 as plants that fail to survive, or whose vitality has been 

 impaired by the rigor of Winter,'can now be readily replaced, 

 and at such trifling expense that it is thought by many 

 scarcely worth the time and trouble involved to secure their 

 preservation. 



To those of our friends and customers who are, how- 

 ever, interested in the matter of "Winter protection," a 

 few remarks will suffice. As to the classes of Roses that 

 are hardy, and those that are not hardy, this information 

 is given in the introduction of the individual classes. 

 Where it is possible, we would advise that the benefit of 

 the doubt be given by protecting all varieties, irrespective 

 of the class, for it will not be harmful to protect even the 

 Moss or Hybrid Peri)etual Roses. Do not cover your plants 

 too soon ; a nip of frost will not hurt them, but will help 

 to ripen and mature them. Such material as leaves, hay, 

 straw, light manure, street sweepings, pine or cedar boughs, 

 corn fodder, etc., will afford excellent protection. Sufficient 

 should be given to prevent the roots from freezing, but con- 

 siderable light and circulation of air should not be excluded. 

 In the Spring, wait until the weather is settled before uncov- 

 ering ; then prune the plants, taking care to cut off all dead 

 or discolored wood. 



General Remarks 



All our Roses are grown here at our establishment 

 under our personal supervision. Grown under natural con- 

 ditions in ordinary soil. Not fertilized or forced into quick 

 growth. We claim for them that they are the 6es< grown 

 Roses in the world. All our plants are inspected from time 

 to time, and all inferior specimens rejected ; thus none but 

 the best are sent to our customers. Ever>' one ordering from 

 us may depend upon getting plants true to name in every 

 instance. We do not offer fruit or shade trees. This cata- 

 logue and the Autumn edition contain complete lists of 

 everything we have to offer. Last, but by no means least, 

 we wish to say, if you are a lover or grower of powers, 

 *' Success with Flowers," the leading floral monthly, 

 will prove exceedingly helpful and interesting. Read the 

 announcement of it elsewhere. 



